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Packers 2014 Mock Draft, Final Edition

I get the feeling the Packers may not have a chance at either Mosley or Ryan Shazier come Thursday night. But if one of the two will make it to No. 21, it's probably Mosley. Some team will fall in love with Shazier's speed in the top 20 picks, while Mosley's injury history may scare off just enough clubs. The Packers would then take him as a plug-and-play starter alongside A.J. Hawk. Without the medical red flags, he's a borderline top-10 talent in this class. And just for kicks, I'll put it in writing that Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller remains my first-round surprise pick for the Packers (if he makes it to 21). I rate him as the No. 1 cornerback in this class, and he may just have the range and anticipation needed to project as a Pro Bowl-caliber free safety.

2.53 FS TERRENCE BROOKS, FLORIDA STATE

Have the Packers not locked themselves into taking a safety somewhat early in this draft? Unless Micah Hyde is making a full-time transition to play the backend with Morgan Burnett, no position on the Packers roster needs more attention. And with the position continuing to rise in importance, and the relative top-heaviness of this safety class, the Packers can't afford to wait too long to get one. Brooks isn't Nick Collins, but he's athletic, rangy and unafraid to support against the run. Given the choice, I'd much rather have Brooks in the second than Calvin Pryor in the first.

2.62 (TRADE) TE TROY NIKLAS, NOTRE DAME

The Packers give up one of their third-round picks (3.85), plus a fourth (4.121) and a fifth (5.161), to move up and take Niklas, Green Bay's next starting tight end. It's an aggressive move up the board, but Niklas is worth the lost draft capital in the middle rounds. He's huge, standing 6'6" and weighing 270 pounds, but he's athletic for his size—capable of winning down the seam, underneath and in the red zone. He gained experience working in-line (excellent potential as a blocker) and out wide at Notre Dame, a tight end factory. Big upside considering he worked just two years at the position after moving over from the defensive side. Also, his uncle is Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. What's not to like? Watch him become a poor man's Rob Gronkowski in the Packers offense.

3.98 WR KEVIN NORWOOD, ALABAMA

I'd be shocked if the Packers don't use one of their first four picks on a receiver. This class has too many difference-making receivers in the top-100 and the Packers still need to replace James Jones on the depth chart. Jarrett Boykin is a fine No. 3, but Green Bay's offense requires the receiver position to be four-deep, especially if the Packers lose the receiving ability of Jermichael Finley at tight end. No one talks about Norwood, but he's 6'2" with 4.48-speed and reliable hands. His change of direction skills are vastly underrated; at 6.68 seconds in the three-cone drill, Norwood blew away Randall Cobb's 7.08 seconds from back in 2011. I think he'll be a better pro than college receiver, especially with Aaron Rodgers pulling the trigger.

5.176 DE BRENT URBAN, VIRGINIA

Ted Thompson won't like waiting 78 picks between selections, but that's the tradeoff for moving up and taking a potential impact player early. His wait is rewarded when Urban, a 6'7" behemoth with ideal body specifications for a 3-4 base end, is still available in the fifth round. Picture a very poor man's version of J.J. Watt, and that's Urban. A broken foot suffered this offseason required surgery, giving him a real chance to fall. The Packers could use his wingspan (34 1/4" arm length) and power along the defensive line. They lack a little of both, especially at the five-technique.

6.197 OL RYAN GROY, WISCONSIN

I remain unconvinced that Thompson will deviate from his standard operating procedure and take a pure center. The safer bet remains that he'll find a college tackle and move him inside. Groy has actually already made that transition. Helping his cause is a versatility to play all three interior linemen positions, including center. The Packers could use more depth at guard, and competition at center—a still unresolved position—can't hurt. Don't forget, Thompson has taken at least one offensive lineman in each of his first nine drafts. And his nine picks along the line lead the NFL since 2009. He'll take one at some point.

7.236 QB JEFF MATHEWS, CORNELL

Experienced (four-year starter) and smart (40 on the Wonderlic), with professional size (6'4") and arm strength, Mathews has the profile of an ideal late-round project quarterback. While a limited athlete who played against poor college competition, he'd be great in the quarterback room and helpful on the Sunday sidelines. His intangibles are through the roof. Mike McCarthy could work with his existing tools and make him into a quality, long-term backup. I'm thinking Mathews could be Aaron Rodgers' version of Doug Peterson.

Zach Kruse is a 25-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV and is the Lead Writer for the NFC North at Bleacher Report. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at zachkruse2@gmail.com.

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Comments (35)
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I've been on this idea of using one of the 3rd round picks to move up in the 2nd for a while now - I think it makes sense. Adding the 4th and 5th does seem like a steep price, though.

As for QB - I personally think Rodgers already has his Doug Pederson (with a D, btw) in Matt Flynn, but at that point in the draft I have no argument against taking someone. And you paint a very intriguing picture of him.

I like the idea of turning their 2 and 3 into more 3's and 4's and 5's but I do not want to drop down from 21. The Packers don't need MORE middle of the road - average type players... they have a roster full of those kinds of guys.

I would love CJ to be there at 21. It all depends on the QB run. If they are selected early, CJ falls. If the QBs hold-off, no CJ or Shazier, then GB has a chance to trade down and get multiplt picks.
Kind of a win-win but rather have an impact player for sure at 21.
Mosley/Shazier clone could be had in 3rd round w/ Barrow and lots of rounds to select a FS.

I was watching this mock/discussion on NFL.com last night and pick #21 had a lot of nice options. That was due to teams jumping on QBs and OLs though.

In that scenario,we weren't in play for the top 2 Safeties,but Evans,Beckham Jr & Cooks were still available. That will make things veeeeery interesting. A minor trade back possibility? The next 7 spots don't need LB help. Just sayin'...

Even if things don't go that way come Draft Day,I still feel late teens-mid 20's is a perfect spot for the Packers. More than a couple of players WILL fall.

Sh*t will get real once the Ravens and Jets pick. That will give us a better clue of the Pack's top 3-or-so options.

I'm probably down with adding Niklas at some point. But although Notre Dame is a tight end factory, it's been one of fairly run-of-the-mill guys. I think it's safe to say Fasano and Carlson were picked too high when they came out. Rudolph was a good choice. We'll see on Eifert.
If anything, Wisconsin's been the well to go to for value picks at tight end. Pederson's not bad this year, we'll see.

Yeah, the position needs help. But you don't spend a late 2nd round pick on just anybody because it's a position of need. You'll just wind up with Andrew Quarless and someone just like Andrew Quarless. In two years you'll be shopping for a starter again.

Ignoring Cow's typical hyperbole (I think over a full-year Quarless can match and exceed any of those guys' best seasons, with the possible exception of Eifert, since it's only his 1st year), I don't think the success, or lack thereof, of past Notre Dame TEs should factor into future considerations at all. They're all their own player.

Well thought out Mock. I'm thinking Ted will just pick BPA at #21 and we may not like the pick if it's not an ILB or safety. I'm not going to shocked or disappointed if we see Fuller or maybe a WR should one of the top tier fall to us at #21.

Listening to the Around the League podcast right now and they have a NFL.com writer named Matt Smith on talking about Shazier (he has him mocked to the Packers, btw) but he's going on and on about how "freakishly big" he is.

If the 1st ground goes anywhere near what we've all been reading, Fuller will the safest pick at 21.

Nix - weight and knee problems
Hageman - unmotivated head case
Pryor - can he cover?
Mosley - what part of his body HASN'T been injured?
Shazier - size?
Ford - can he play OLB?
No TE's in the 21 range.
No OL in the 21 range.
No RB's in the 21 range.
Obviously not picking a QB at 21.

There is no positional projection with Fuller.

If they want to swing for a homerun, he's probably not the guy. If they want to make sure they don't strike out - he's definitely in the discussion.

"Have the Packers not locked themselves into taking a safety somewhat early in this draft? "

It sure seems so... but with TT you just never know.

By the way... I do not think Hyde will be moved to safety.
Correct me if I'm wrong but has MM every stated "Hyde will be moving to safety"? I know he's stated that Hyde needs more snaps... but that could mean anything.

Quick google search brought this: "I mean Micah's to me a multiple position player," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said last week at the NFL scouting combine. "I'd like to see Micah compete to play all three downs on defense, so if there's a personnel group that he has to play safety, yeah that's an option."

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